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We spent 10 days in early September 2015 at Casa Boccina and absolutely loved it! This place was perfect for adults and children alike. Only a 5min drive from the beautiful city of Lucca, you can balance a Tuscan retreat with all you want from a medieval city break.

The casa was very well designed, with so much space to spread out. It has 4 separate outside seating areas, beautiful views of olive groves, and a fantastic sized pool which is very relaxing based on its location.

For children, the pool is fenced off which is great, and there is also a great children's play area at the back of the very large garden, a trampoline, lots of toys etc, all tastefully contained in beautiful and large surroundings. It really is a spacious Casa.

The outside BBQ area was brilliant, as is the numerous outside speakers which we used to full extent to create a lovely atmosphere.

The kitchen was perfect for what we needed, large, very well kitted out (I.e nearly 20 wine glasses we used for wine tasting!) and perfect for social cooking.

Would definitely will come back here. Perfect balance of having close proximity to Lucca and a very relaxing and beautiful place to stay.

Britta and Stuart were also very helpful, as our plane was delayed - on top of a service they offer to get food on your arrival - they also selected 'easier' foods to have (cheese/meats/beers) knowing we would arrive too late to be bothered to cook...exactly what I like..great service when they 'think for you' and get it so spot on!

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Management Response

25 Sep 2015

So glad you had a wonderful holiday. Hope to see you again in the future.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Not sure what the last reviewer was on but we had a great time. Britta as the on-site caretaker looked after us magnificently and ensured that questions we raised were resolved quickly with many just being our understanding.

The Pool was superb - its heated from the sun through solar panels so unless the sun is shinning it doesn't get heated - pretty simple and it works. We had some hot days and it was very refreshing.

The air conditioning was a god send and very helpful to cool us down.

Our children loved the expedition to the end of the property where the climbing frame and swing set is located. They played extensively in that area.

Kitchen very well equipped - range cooker was excellent allowing us to use the double ovens to cook for our friends.

Wifi was good - could be faster but this is Italy and it was great to be able to receive UK TV. We were informed at booking that some of the terrestrial channels weren't available but this is common across Europe.

Table tennis table is being renewed we were told - but it was perfectly serviceable and no issues when using. Great to play out of the sun.

For sure with every property if you set out to find fault you will - we had a great time and will most definitely return.

How easy was it to book the property?

How helpful were the directions to the property?

How easy was key pickup/access to the property?

Overall condition of the property

Bedding & mattresses

Kitchen & utensils

Bathroom cleanliness

Other facilities & amenities

Service

Liked best:Solitude

Liked least:Leaving

Travelling group:Extended Family

Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
Yes.

Recommended for:

Friends getaway

Was the property as advertised?

Would you recommend the location of this property?

Was it a good value for the price paid?

Did the property offer wi-fi/internet access?

Was your security deposit returned on time?

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Management Response

25 Sep 2015

We're really pleased you had a relaxing break. Look forward to having you back.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Have stayed here twice and probably going for a third next year.Brita & stu are perfect host there when you need them and the house Is a lovely comfortable place to stay great for a family or group of friends definetley returning soon

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Not sure what the last reviewer was on but we had a great time. Britta as the on-site caretaker looked after us magnificently and ensured that questions we raised were resolved quickly with many just being our understanding.

The Pool was superb - its heated from the sun through solar panels so unless the sun is shinning it doesn't get heated. We had some hot days and it was very refreshing.

The air conditioning was a god send and very helpful to cool us down.

Our children loved the expedition to the end of the property where the climbing frame and swing set is located. They played extensively in that area.

Kitchen very well equipped - range cooker was excellent allowing us to use the double ovens to cook for our friends.

Wifi was good - could be faster but this is Italy and it was great to be able to receive UK TV. We were informed at booking that some of the terrestrial channels weren't available but this is common across Europe.

Table tennis table is being renewed we were told - but it was perfectly serviceable. Great to play out of the sun.

For sure with every property if you set out to find fault you will - we had a great time and will most definitely return.

How easy was it to book the property?

How helpful were the directions to the property?

How easy was key pickup/access to the property?

Overall condition of the property

Bedding & mattresses

Kitchen & utensils

Bathroom cleanliness

Other facilities & amenities

Service

Liked best:Solitude and quietness

Liked least:Leaving

Travelling group:Extended Family

Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
Yes.

Recommended for:

Friends getaway

Was the property as advertised?

Would you recommend the location of this property?

Was it a good value for the price paid?

Did the property offer wi-fi/internet access?

Was your security deposit returned on time?

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Cassa Boccina is a large property sitting in a beautiful, peaceful location yet only 5 mins. from a large free car park just outside the Lucca City walls and only 5 mins. from a good supermarket.However, if I pay a high price I expect high standards in return and the standards of cleanliness and maintenance here are not high! This is an old farmhouse and not luxury accommodation. In my opinion people who have given this property 5* are doing the owners a disservice because the owners can believe that all is fine when in reality it is not!

Firstly, various areas were not clean. The oven and hob were grimy and had to be cleaned before use. The BBQ had to be cleaned before use. The electric towel rail in the downstairs shower room was very dirty at the back. We had to clean it as it was soiling any items put on it. The outside area around the table tennis table had to be swept of dirt and leaves. The outside chess area was rather overgrown. The brick patio of the covered outside dining area was stained with previous spills of food and drink and in desperate need of jet washing (despite 2 jet wash machines lying around). This is a large house and you did not have to look very far to find things that have not been cleaned for some time.Secondly, various items were either absent or broken. E.g The small oven in the kitchen range is broken. The outside pool shower is broken. One of the sofas in the BBQ gazebo is broken. Several of the sun loungers need attention. The painted surface of the table tennis table came off on our hands during play. There was no climbing frame or swing set. (we had not been told about this even though we had children with us). No BBC channels on the TV. The much vaunted solar pool heating was not readily available even though the weather had turned cooler. It took 3 separate requests to get the system put through. There is no pool cover so the pool loses heat at night. There are no locks on the upper floor bathrooms. Normal kitchen/food waste has to be taken by you to the roadside bins over ½ km away. During our stay, the gardener/caretaker was not there. Britta and family were living in the other large house opposite the farmhouse. The web site details and photos are clearly in need of updating.Cassa Boccina does have some really good points. It is large and in large grounds. The pool is wonderful. It is big and deep at one end and the best pool we have had so far. The kitchen is very well equipped with most things you need. The crockery and cutlery are good quality. Bed linen and pillows are good but the actual beds are far from luxury. The Eco. Air con. System works well – it was lovely to come back to cool bedrooms and kitchen. Britta was friendly, helpful and available when we needed assistance. I have taken time over this review because we did have a lovely holiday and with the right amount of cleaning and maintenance input this property could achieve 5 stars.I would not recommend this property with the high rental price unless you can secure assurances over the items raised.

How easy was it to book the property?

How helpful were the directions to the property?

How easy was key pickup/access to the property?

Overall condition of the property

Bedding & mattresses

Kitchen & utensils

Bathroom cleanliness

Other facilities & amenities

Service

Liked best:The Pool

Liked least:Lack of Cleanliness and maintenance

Travelling group:Extended Family

Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
No.

Would you recommend the location of this property?

Did the property offer wi-fi/internet access?

Was your security deposit returned on time?

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC